The Warrenton boys golf team is entering the season with high expectations. With three varsity returners, the Warriors are hoping to build off of last year’s momentum. 

“We are always going to compete for the conference championship,” Coach Aaron Jinkerson said. “The main thing about golf is to improve year after year, so if you’re returning you have to make sure to build off of your finish last year. I think we have a good opportunity to have some all conference first-team golfers.” 

The three returners– Gavin Thompson, Gavin Solari and Ethan Leavitt– are expected to play pivotal roles for the team. 

“I really look for them to be the leaders of the team because they have a lot of experience,” he said. “They played a lot in the offseason and I’m looking forward to their development this year and tournament play.” 

Jinkerson added Thompson and Solari have “built tremendous experience competing on varsity as freshmen.” 

Thompson earned all-conference honors as a freshman, alongside his brother Owen, who is now graduated. 

“I just hope I can follow in his footsteps because he had a good senior year,” Thompson said.  

While Jinkerson notes the personality differences between the two brothers, he believes Gavin Thompson can inherit his brother’s leadership qualities this season. 

Leavitt, a senior, is focused on finishing strong in his final year of high school golf. 

“I just want to do better and do all I can and keep moving forward,” he said. 

The team has 13 players on the roster, which Jinkerson noted is typical for the program. While the newcomers have little to no experience, Jinkerson is encouraged by their determination to improve. 

“We have kids who want to work hard at the game,” he said.They’re really serious about improving, which, as a coach, that’s all I can ask for. They’re a fun group to be around.” 

The varsity lineup will include Leavitt, Thompson, Solari and Eli Peth, with the fifth spot potentially being filled by a mix of other players.

In the practice, the players have been spending plenty of time working on their game after a long offseason, with an emphasis on daily improvement and refining the short game.

“We’re trying to focus on smaller things that will allow them to improve their score,” Jinkerson said. 

The Warriors will tee off their season at 3:30 p.m. on March 27 in a home dual against St. Charles West. 

Jinkerson expects St. Charles West to be their biggest competition in the GAC North conference. 

“I look forward to seeing us compete against those guys,” he said. “It’s the first match of the year and we’ll see where we stack up.”